Mielke Market Weekly

October cheese and butter production up over September

MIELKE, from pg. 13

Dairy Products report shows that more milk went into powder and butter.

Cheese output totaled 1.13 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from September, but 0.6 percent below October 2019. Year-to-date total cheese sits at 10.96 billion pounds, up just 0.4 percent from a year ago.

Wisconsin produced 286 million pounds of that October total, up 2.8 percent from September, but 0.9 percent below a year ago. California output hit 200.6 million pounds, up 4.1 percent from September but 7.1 percent below a year ago. Idaho, with 86 million pounds, was down 1.2 percent from September and 1 percent below a year ago.

Italian-type cheese totaled 469.2 million pounds, up 1.3 percent from September but 3.4 percent below a year ago. Year-to-date, Italian was at 4.7 billion pounds, down 1.2 percent.

American-type cheese totaled 461.1 million pounds, up 6.1 percent from September and 3.5 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, American was at 4.4 billion pounds, up 2 percent.

Mozzarella output was at 366 million pounds, down 4.8 percent from a year ago, with year-to-date at 3.7 billion pounds, down 1.4 percent from 2019.

Cheddar, which trades daily at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, climbed to 326.9 million pounds, the highest October volume ever. It is up 19.9 million pounds or 6.5 percent from September and 17.3 million or 5.6 percent above October 2019. Year-to-date, cheddar is at 3.2 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from a year ago.

Butter churns produced 164.9 million pounds, up 13.3 million pounds or 8.8 percent from September and 2 million pounds or 1.2 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, butter is at 1.7 billion pounds, up 5.9 percent from 2019.

Yogurt production totaled 382.9 million pounds, up 7.1 percent from a year ago, with the year-to-date total at 3.8 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent.

Animals in general have three different processes to prepare themselves for winter. Livestock can grow long, thick coats to provide insulation against cold weather. If livestock are not exposed to the cold such as in a warm barn, they acclimate to the temperature of their given environment. The hair coat needs to stay clean and dry to provide the best insulation protection. Also, livestock tend to put on more weight in the winter months. Be sure to talk with your nutritionist ahead of time to make sure your livestock have enough energy in their diet to help protect them from the cold weather. Lastly, animals naturally adjust their metabolic rate to help produce more heat to help maintain their core body temperature. This need for energy takes these resources away from other body functions — such as milk production — if a higher energy diet is not provided.

What are some things that we can do as farmers to get ready for winter? Think about the basic needs of all living things and apply them to your livestock: Food, water and shelter.

Nutrition — Livestock need more calories to keep themselves warm — especially during some of the bitter cold winters we experience in Minnesota. Discuss with your nutritionist or feed dealer the ideal options for your herd and facilities. You may consider sorting out thin animals in order to provide them more specialized care such as a higher energy ration and less crowded, draft-free shelter.

Whey totaled 80.2 million pounds, up 5.4 million or 7.2 percent from September, but 10.6 million or 11.8 percent below a year ago, with year-to-date at 810.6 million, down 1.5 percent. Dry whey stocks totaled 68.1 million pounds, down 14.3 percent from September and 14.2 percent below a year ago.

Nonfat dry milk climbed to 138.4 million pounds, up 12.4 million pounds or 9.8 percent from September and 5.7 million or 4.3 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, powder sits at 1.6 billion pounds, up 2.1 percent from 2019. Stocks, at 234.9 million pounds, were up 1.6 million or 0.7 percent from September, but 17 million or 7.8 percent above a year ago.

Skim milk powder output fell to 57.2 million pounds, down 15.3 million pounds or 21.1 percent from September, but 9.8 million pounds or 20.7 percent above a year ago. Year-to-date, skim milk powder is at 510.2 million pounds, up a hefty 11.7 percent from a year ago.

StoneX called the report “bearish on cheese and non-fat dry milk and neutral butter. Cheese and nonfat dry milk were bearish for different reasons. Cheese production has been weak this year, which would not normally be bearish except it is currently

Are your livestock ready for winter?

See MIELKE, pg. 16

Water — Be sure to be checking your waterer or water tanks regularly for frozen water. Frozen water or excessively cold water significantly limits water and feed intake of livestock. Animals, like humans, prefer the temperature of the water to be between 40 and 65 F. Consider utilizing a thermometer to determine if tank heaters and waterer heating elements are in proper working order.

Shelter — Provide a shelter for livestock to get them out of the elements. A wind break is one solution; providing a roof is ideal. Providing deep, clean, dry bedding is essential to help keep the animals warm. Remember that a clean dry hair coat provides significantly better insulation than a dirty, wet hair coat. Also take time to evaluate your building for drafts which can create a problem. Look around doors, windows and curtains for areas that should be sealed.

Keep in mind livestock which remain healthy throughout winter can fare cold temperatures more efficiently. Work with your veterinarian to keep livestock in tip top shape and up-to-date on their vaccinations. The other thing to consider is that with cold temperatures comes ice! Ice creates unsafe walking surfaces for both your livestock and yourself. Consider ruffing up the surface and adding sand or gravel for traction.

This article was submitted by University of Minnesota Extension. v

Jump in U.S. all-milk price offsets higher feed costs

MIELKE, from pg. 14

coupled with weak demand. Non-fat and skim milk powder, on the other hand, have showed processors have been very willing to produce powder, which has added on big volume to current stocks. Butter’s neutral reading comes as production came in below our expectations. Demand for butter is not good, but fat continues to flow increasingly into ice cream, sour cream and yogurt.”

n

Market bulls got some fodder in the Dec. 1 Global Dairy Trade auction. The event’s weighted average was up 4.3 percent, the biggest gain since July 7, and followed the 1.8 percent rise on Nov. 17, and a 2 percent descent Nov. 3.

Every product offered saw strong gains, led by lactose, up 13.5 percent, after plunging 18.8 percent on Nov. 17. Whole milk powder was up 5 percent after rising 1.8 percent last time, and skim milk powder was up 3.6 percent following a 2.5 percent rise. Butter was up 3.8 percent after inching 0.4 percent higher, and anhydrous milkfat was up 2.6 percent following a 4.1 percent rise. GDT cheddar was up 2.4 percent after dropping 3.5 percent last time, and buttermilk powder was up 1.3 percent.

StoneX equated the GDT 80 percent butterfat butter price to $1.7638 per pound U.S., up 6.5 cents from the last event. CME butter closed Dec. 4 at $1.48. GDT cheddar cheese equated to $1.6935 per pound, up 4.2 cents, and compares to Dec. 4’s CME block cheddar at $1.5850. GDT skim milk powder averaged $1.3103 per pound, up from $1.2696, and whole milk powder averaged $1.4435, up from $1.3774. CME Grade A nonfat dry milk closed Dec. 4 at $1.15 a pound.

n

Rising global prices and a weak dollar are making U.S. dairy exports increasingly attractive to importers, according to the Daily Dairy Report. “As demand rises globally, as evidenced both by the sharp GDT price advances and recent strong demand from China, U.S. exporters could begin to move larger shipments overseas, which could offer a lift to U.S. dairy product values — especially milk and whey powders.”

Most CME dairy prices entered December a little stronger — except cheese. The cheddar blocks closed Dec. 4 at $1.5850 per pound, the lowest since Aug. 11. That’s down 9.5 cents on the week and 38.5 cents below a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.40, down 2.25 cents, 82.75 cents below a year ago, and 18.5 cents below the blocks. Eight cars of block sold on the week at the CME and 23 of barrel.

Midwest cheesemakers reported widely available spot milk the week after Thanksgiving, according to Dairy Market News, and “wholly discounted.”

Cheese producers say demand is steady to intermitent, with concern expressed that further restrictions on food service establishments due to Covid-19 will have further impact on sales. Market tones remain “hobbled after a resolutely bearish November,” says Dairy Market News. “Markets are under pressure, but Midwestern contacts have yet to relay strong concerns regarding inventory growth.”

Western cheese output is also active. Heavy milk volumes from the week of Thanksgiving kept facilities full and most plants were already at or near capacity. Manufacturers are hesitant to add much cheese to their inventories while milk prices are strong and cheese prices are falling. Some suggest buyer interest is slowly returning as market prices have fallen. Demand for cheese from retail and pizza sectors is steady and solid, but food service demand is lacking.

n

Butter saw daily gains and closed at $1.48 per pound, up 12 cents on the week, highest since Oct. 20, but 43.5 cents below a year ago, on 34 sales reported.

Some central butter producers report fall volumes are moving quickly. Government orders have receded so they are focusing more on retail customers. Food service remains slow and contacts are still waiting for the full impact of Covid restaurant closures and restrictions. Cream has been, and is, widely available at declining prices and producers are unconcerned about finding cream for the rest of the month or year. Butter market tones were improving day to day this week, but fall has been anything but bullish for the typically stalwart market.

Western contacts expected lots of cream to be available over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend due to manufacturing facilities closing. As butter makers shift to end of year holiday orders, the underlying focus is to manage stocks. Requests for holiday print butter remain active but inventories appear to be quite adequate. Manufacturers will get a clearer picture of butter needs starting the postholiday week as some buyers have adjusted purchases around their immediate needs. Bulk butter demand is quiet, says Dairy Market News.

Grade A nonfat dry milk climbed to $1.1575 per pound on Dec. 3 (the highest since Feb. 21) but closed the next day at $1.15, still 5.5 cents higher on the week and 11.75 cents below a year ago. There were 25 sales reported on the week.

CME dry whey climbed to a 46.25 cents per pound close, up 3.25 cents on the week, highest since Jan. 22, 2019, and 9.5 cents above a year ago, with five sales reported on the week. n

A sharp jump in the U.S. All-Milk price offset higher corn and soybean prices to push the October milk feed price ratio higher. The latest Ag Prices report has the ratio at 2.50, up from 2.28 in September and 2.42 in October 2019.

The index is based on the current milk price in relationship to feed prices for a dairy ration consisting of 51 percent corn, 8 percent soybeans and 41 percent alfalfa hay. One pound of milk could purchase 2.50 pounds of dairy feed of that blend in October.

The U.S. All-Milk price averaged $20.20 per hundredweight, up $2.30 from September and 20 cents above the October 2019 average.

California’s All-Milk price jumped to $21.20, up $2.50 from September and $2.30 above a year ago. Wisconsin, at $21.50, was up $3.80 from September and 80 cents above a year ago.

The national average corn price averaged $3.61 per bushel, up 21 cents per bushel from September, but 24 cents per bushel below October 2019. Soybeans averaged $9.63 per bushel, up 39 cents from September and $1.03 per bushel above a year ago. Alfalfa hay averaged $171 per ton, unchanged from September, but $6 per ton below a year ago.

Looking at the cow side, the October cull price for beef and dairy combined averaged $60 per cwt., down $6.60 from September, 90 cents below October 2019, and $11.60 below the 2011 base average of $71.60 per cwt.

In the week ending Nov. 21, 58,700 dairy cows were sent to slaughter, unchanged from the week before but 5,600 head or 8.7 percent below a year ago.

The U.S. cotton harvest was at 84 percent as of the week ending Nov. 29. This is up 2 percent from the same week a year ago and 5 percent ahead of the five-year average.

n

In politics, the National Milk Producers Federation congratulated Representative David Scott (D-GA) on being elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress. Scott has served on the committee since coming to Congress in 2003. He was chairman of the Dairy Subcommittee during the 2009 dairy market collapse and has supported bipartisan legislation to enhance milk consumption in schools, says NMPF.

Meanwhile, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled farm workers must receive overtime pay after 40 hours. The ruling effectively struck down the state’s decades-old exemption and will mean huge increases in labor expense.

The Washington State Dairy Federation stated, “While we believe the court erred in its opinion, this case involves a state constitutional question, and there is no venue to appeal it beyond the state Supreme Court. Our advice is for dairy farmers to begin paying workers time-and-a-half for overtime immediately.”

Lee Mielke is a syndicated columnist who resides in Everson, Wash. His weekly column is featured in newspapers across the country and he may be reached at lkmielke@juno.com. v

One visit and you’re hooked!

By DICK HAGEN

The Land Staff Writer Emeritus

WATSON, Minn. – That title aptly fits a Sept. 30 visit with Chuck Ellingson, the incredible chap who brought Watson Hunting Camp & Bar into fruition. Located on the prominent landscape overlooking the huge Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir in western Minnesota, his enterprise is billed as Minnesota’s Largest Waterfowl Outfitter.

So at the behest of my wife’s sister, Ione and husband Doug Parson (frequent fifth-wheel trailer campers at this western Minnesota recreation hangout) we ventured west from Olivia on U.S. Hwy. 212 to Granite Falls, then northwest a few miles to Montevideo, then a few additional miles to Watson and the entrance to the upper campground of the Lac Qui Parle State Reservoir.

With the Parsons to guide us, we motored only another mile or so to the welcome sign of “WATSON HUNTING CAMP & BAR.” Yep, already the invite is enticing! Apparently what used to be an older farmstead now sports five structures – each appropriately painted to compliment the colors of this prairie country.

After parking, immediately capturing our eyes was what appeared to be a vintage-era prairie barn – but now dressed up with steps leading to an outdoor balcony beneath the precipice of the old hay mow door. Up the balcony we went, then opened a door to a mostinviting dinning/beverage area ringed with gorgeous deer heads, assorted Canadian geese, wild turkey and pheasants. Yes, already lots to see and soon to enjoy and taste as well.

However, my first mission was an interview with Chuck Ellingson about his significant enterprise created out here in the western prairie of Minnesota. Yes, I quickly thought, ‘one could write a book.’ However, in my few minutes with Chuck, here’s a few glimpses of his amazing adventure.

The Land: What launched your ambition to create this hunting, fishing and recreational bonanza?

Chuck: It’s a long story. Back in 1996 I graduated from high school at Eden Prairie. Yes, a Minneapolis suburb. But I grew up hunting and fishing out here since I was just a kid. Fortunately my Dad was able to teach me everything he knew about the two sports.

The Land: Your age at that time?

Chuck: I was 8, maybe 7. I used to sit in the deer stand with my Dad.

The Land: And your first deer kill?

Chuck: I was 11 ... shot a little doe just like about every kid does. But it was very likely the best day in my life. My grandparents farmed out here. So it was the logical place for my Dad to take me for my early hunting and fishing experiences too. So my choice to eventually move out here was early in my thoughts.

The Land: Why the name Lac Qui Parle lake?

Chuck: It’s French for “The Lake That Speaks” or I’m told more appropriately “Lake Which Talks.” Back in the ‘30s, this lake was just a river. During the Depression an earthen coiffure dam was built in front of the concrete structure built in the 1950s. This was a Corps of Engineers project. Now what you see is the 36th largest lake in Minnesota. And it also turned into a big refuge. Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, a farm adjacent to the reservoir had lots of geese hanging around. I’m told some wildlife specialists clipped the wings on 250-300 of these geese so they just swam around this farm island all summer and fall. And these geese soon attracted flying geese looking for a resting stop on their migrations. The DNR guys even positioned a record player with big speakers honking and honking. And you better believe that attracts wayward geese looking for a stop. That particular record is on display at the DNR center here at the park. At one time I’m told 150,000 to 200,000 Canadian geese were making this a resting point on their onwards migrations to the south lands. I remember at my Granddad’s house, my Dad and I would stand on the deck and shoot geese. It was that amazing and so much fun.

The Land: And that certainly helped your early ambitions?

Chuck: Yes, certainly did. I grew up just having a ball out here at my grandparents’ farm. In fact, back in 1996 I started guiding out here. My Dad had a small business in Eden Prairie, but he had a lot of customers. And he’d favor them with goose hunting trips out here. I was guiding hunters from 3-M, Super Valu and such. I was 18 years old. And we would lodge in the basement of my grandparents’ house. So I’d have four or five hunters out here, and my grandparents would be helping me. My grandfather would wake us up; my grandmother, after our hunt, would have pancakes and spam. It was just a wonderful time and those memories I will cherish forever.

The Land: So what proceeded from that early indoctrination?

Chuck: My grandfather has about 400 acres of what we called ‘down below.’ It was all river bottom land. He used to farm all of it; now I’ve put it all into CRP programs for habitat and wildlife restoration. It’s like a full game preserve down there. Each season I place some pheasants on that patch of ground so people can come in for a pheasant hunt too. I don’t raise my own pheasants ... that requires too much work and we’re plenty busy around here already.

Time out ... Chuck got interrupted for a few minutes. Yep, when you’re serving the public, interruptions are a wel-

See HUNTING CAMP, pg. 18

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Guides scout the night before a hunt to locate birds

HUNTING CAMP, from pg. 17 bought the place. Rain even pouring right through comed thing. So instead I mosied over to the bar, and what luck: Here were two of Chuck’s hired game bird guides. Their day was complete, they were winding down – much like the tendency of most sportsmen after a recreational hunting and/ or fishing day. this roof up there. So it took some resurrecting since it was leaning over too. Knocked the old silo down. Now we’ve got a full bar and grill up here (the old hay loft area) and seven hotel rooms downstairs; bath and shower house in the main lodge. That’s where all my RV customers and campers stay. Two years ago we built a big event center, 60 x 100 feet

The Land: You tell me you are from the which now host all sorts of events: weddings, family Paynesville area and now are regular guides for reunions, you name it and we’ve done it. And with Chuck? the Covid-19 situation I’ve even done a few funerals

Guides: I’m Sam Thompson, this other guy is too ... because it’s an outdoor venue. Matt Ginter. This is our first year guiding. And yes The Land: What use for the event center building indeed, every day is different. When the entire in this season? agenda is ‘wake up and go hunting,’ that’s hard to beat. Chuck: Now, it’s filled up with my duck boats, my trucks, my special bus, my jeep, my everything else

The Land: And your daily agenda? just to keep from the weather. So this event center Guides: Wake up about 4:30 or 5 o’clock – depending upon how far we hunt from here. Leave here about 6 a.m., then go hunt until late morning. We scout every evening with one of Chuck’s ATVs Photos by Dick Hagen The Ellingson family is (left to right) Mason, Chuck, Melea and Matthew. facility is rapidly proving to be a totally useful structure. I truly enjoy being around people. I especially enjoy taking young children hunting with their dads ... or their moms. I’ve had so many people so we pretty much know where bird activity will here for weekend guiding work. But I got sick and ... like four times with Ron Schara out here doing his likely be the following morning. tired of that routine and wanted out. I talked to my Minnesota Bound television shows. Mike Max, WCCO The Land: around here? And the geese will soon be in full flight Dad. Unfortunately, both of my grandparents died within a month and one-half of each other in 2002. They were married for 67 years. My Dad asked me sports guy, has been out here. I’ve had WCCO’s “Going to the Lakes” here. I’ve hosted two governor hunts in 2011 and in 2016. Mark Dayton was one of

Guides: We’re seeing the early migrators coming what I wanted to do? I told him, “Dad, I want to buy the governors. A very nice guy, but I think he couldn’t in now; so in just a few more days the flocks will be a farm out here and start a guiding business.” He hit the side of a barn. overhead. said okay, so in early 2003 we found this place. It was The Land: Tell us about your family. And now back to Chuck who has returned to our table. The Land: Chuck, what precipitated your move here? Chuck: My Dad grew up out here. He graduated from Milan High School in 1962; then four years of college; then he signed up in a Navy ROTC program for sale, just two miles down from my grandparents farm ... and its even closer to the lake and it’s not on Hwy. 7 where dogs get run over. So it was a no-brainer. It was just an old, empty farmstead. This barn we’re sitting in right now was built in 1911; that old house was built in 1908. Old newspapers were stuffed in the walls for insulation. Today it’s all knotty-wood pine interiors. Chuck: My wife’s name is Melea. My kids are Matthew, age 5, and Mason, who turned 7 just today. Yes, in my opinion this is a perfect environment for my wife and I to be rearing our children. My wife grew up in the Pelican Rapids area, two hours north of here. She’s the high school guidance counselor here at the Montevideo School District. and had a 32-year career in the Navy. He’s retired. Some health issues at 75 have sidelined him. In the Navy, my Dad captained one of those Swift Patrol The Land: So what’s the story on this old barn that we’re enjoying in comfort today? The Land: I presume your client list keeps expand ing? Boats that ran the canals of Vietnam. At the time I Chuck (laughing): It was raining the day I See HUNTING CAMP, pg. 21 was an auto mechanic in the Cities and getting out

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Grain Outlook Post-Thanksgiving corn price hits a lull

Livestock Angles Livestock market awaits news from USDA

The following marketing need to import 33 million The livestock markets past couple of weeks under analysis is for the week end- metric tons of corn in 2021 appear to be struggling as we lighter movement which indiing Dec. 4. and 55 mmt by 2023. The moved into the month of cates resistance to the higher PHYLLIS NYSTROM CHS Hedging inC. St. Paul USDA is officially expecting China to import 13 mmt of corn this year, but other sources are projecting as high as 20-25 mmt. Weekly ethanol production was down 16,000 barrels per day to 974,000 bpd. This is the fifth week we’ve managed to keep production above the weekly 960,000 bpd average needed to achieve the USDA forecast. Corn for ethanol usage on the Dec. 10 World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report is expected CORN — March corn ran to a new contract high when most traders returned after the Thanksgiving weekend, but it couldn’t hold the gains as November closed its doors. As has been typical the last few months, corn pulled back early in the new month before recovering to keep the uptrend intact. We have to see if this verifies this month after this week’s action didn’t exactly break the uptrend, but it didn’t help it either. After a key reversal lower on Nov. 30 JOE TEALE Broker Great Plains Commodity Afton, Minn. December. Prices have faded off of recent highs. Both cattle and feeder cattle — along with the hogs — have met resistance in prices paid by the packer as well as the retailer. This has funneled down to the producer level over the past several weeks and has also been reflected in the futures prices. It is likely we are now in a corrective price type of situation in livestock markets for the foreseeable future at least in the short term. costs to the retailer — thus the public — for beef products. The supply of market-ready cattle also appears to be more than adequate to meet demand at the present, which gives the packer the advantage at the present time. The outlook does not appear to be as defensive as the shortterm outlook as placements have been declining over the past few cattle on feed reports. It suggests the longer term outlook will eventually have a and setting a new contract high at to decline slightly from the current One positive fact which can help sta- more positive outlook than the short $4.39.5, March corn consolidated in the 5.05 billion bushel estimate. Stocks bilize markets is the export market has term. $4.15-$4.30 area. Weather in South America has improved with recent rains in Brazil and parts of Argentina, but it is too early to say the crop is made. Any delay to Brazil’s soybean planting and subsequent harvest pushes back their second crop corn planting. U.S. corn is the cheapest source of corn through April and a weaker U.S. dollar adds to that advantage. The U.S. dollar index sank to fresh 32-month lows during the week. China’s corn on the Dalian Exchange traded to $10.24 per bushel for May. Rumors were abundant during See NYSTROM, pg. 20 were 374,000 barrels higher at 21.2 million barrels and the highest in 24 weeks. Ethanol crush margins improved by 4 cents per gallon to a positive 4 cents per gallon. U.S. gasoline demand fell 156,000 bpd to 7.97 million bpd. This is the lowest demand in the last 24 weeks. Over the last three weeks, gasoline demand is down 11.2 percent from the same period last year. Ethanol exports so far this calendar year through October are down 8 percent from 2019. In October, ethanol exports remained fairly positive. The U.S. dollar has remained weak, encouraging foreign buyers to be more active in acquiring inventory of meat products. One factor which seems to coincide with the weakness in meat demand is the recent increase in Covid infections. This may just be coincidental, but is still a consideration. Cattle do appear to have reached their pinnacle in prices in futures as we moved into the month of November while cash prices slipped off their highs in the start of December. Beef cutouts have dropped well off their highs in the The hog market has been the leader as far as weakness in all facets of the industry. Since October, prices in all facets have been weakening until recently when the futures steadied while the cash prices still were falling. This in effect narrowed the discounts which were present in the nearby December contract to closer to the lean index. Product movement has increased just slightly as prices have come down — indicating interest in pork products are increasing due to the decline in the cutouts. Supply will be the key on the the week of Chinese interest in U.S. future direction of the market from the corn through April, but traders were disappointed with no confirmation Cash Grain Markets current levels. A big factor in the supply number will come on Dec. 22 in the announcements. Weekly export sales were very good at the high end of expectations at 54 million bushels. Total commitments of 1.5 billion bushels are 162 percent ahead of last year and account for 57 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s record 2.65 billion bushel Stewartville Edgerton Jackson Janesville Cannon Falls Sleepy Eye corn/change* $3.75 -.13 $3.85 -.11 $3.94 -.06 $3.92 +.02 $3.79 -.12 $3.83 -.03 soybeans/change* $10.80 -.36 $10.76 -.45 $10.83 -.50 $10.76 -.45 $10.93 -.50 $10.88 -.43 For marketing news U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cold Storage report; and Dec. 23 in the USDA Hogs and Pigs report. These two reports will give further direction to hog prices into next year from a supply point of view. v projection. We need to average 28.2 million bushels of sales per week to Average: $3.85 $10.83 between issues ... visit ring the bell. New sales announcements during the week included 13.5 million bushels of corn sold to unknown. Goldman Sachs is projecting China will Grain prices are effective cash close on Dec. 8. *Cash grain price change represents a two-week period. Year Ago Average: $3.51 $8.43 www.TheLandOnline. com